Hungary is bound by EU legislation and has transposed relevant provisions through the Law LXXX of 2007 on asylum | 2007. évi LXXX. törvény a menedékjogról, (2 July 2007) and the Implementing Government Decree 301/2007 (XI. 9.) of Act LXXX on Asylum | European Website on Integration (XI. 9.) and further amendments.

02/07/2007: Law LXXX of 2007 on asylum | 2007. évi LXXX. törvény a menedékjogról, (2 July 2007)

Implementing Government Decree 301/2007 (XI. 9.) of Act LXXX on Asylum | European Website on Integration (XI. 9.)

In view of the current legal provisions (Act LVIII of 2020 on transitional rules and epidemic preparedness in connection with the end of the emergency situation until 31 December 2024, Government Decree No 361/2024 (28.XI.) on the applicability of transitional rules on asylum procedures from 1 January 2025), general screening is currently not conducted in Hungary.

Information is provided when the applicant appears before the asylum authority to submit the application. When submitting a letter of intent at a diplomatic mission, the embassy will inform the applicant of the procedure.

Information is typically provided in person at Hungary's embassies abroad (e.g. in Belgrade and Kiev), at the National Directorate-General for Aliens’ Policying (NDGAP), government offices' help desks, detention centres and through the NDGAP website. Information is primarily provided by the asylum authority (NDGAP) and embassies. In some cases, subcontracted actors, such as help desk personnel, may also assist in providing the information. Information may be provided individually or in group sessions, depending on the setting.

The information includes details on the procedure to declare the intent to apply for international protection, the conditions for submitting an asylum application, and the applicant's rights and obligations during the process.

The asylum authority, embassies and government offices are responsible for producing and developing the information material. Information is made available both in writing and orally, in Hungarian and English.

Specific information targeting applicants with special needs (e.g. unaccompanied minors and survivors of human trafficking) is not explicitly provided.

Third-country nationals in detention are informed about the possibility to make an asylum application through the same channels as other applicants, including the relevant authorities, detention centre personnel and possibly the asylum authority. The information is provided in writing and orally when detainees are notified of their rights. The precise timeline for providing this information may vary based on individual circumstances.

For more information:

• Conditions for submitting an asylum application deviating from General Rules
• Az általános szabályoktól eltérő menedékjogi kérelem benyújtásának feltételei
• As a refugee in Hungary

Applicants receive information on the Dublin procedure, including their right to a personal interview and the aim of the interview, when their asylum application is processed. The specific details are provided when the Dublin procedure is initiated. Information on the Dublin procedure is provided by the competent asylum authority and the foreigners’ policing authority.

Information is provided both orally during personal meetings and interviews and in writing through information leaflets. Information is available in Hungarian, English and languages of the main countries of origin of applicants.

Upon notification of a transfer decision, applicants are informed about legal remedies both orally and in writing. When the decision is communicated, a copy of the written decision is provided, and applicants are informed of their right to appeal or challenge the decision and the procedure for doing so.

For more information: Dublin Procedure

At the start of the asylum procedure, applicants are informed about the possibility of an admissibility interview. Typically, applicants receive the information both orally and in writing by the asylum authority. In some cases, this information is delivered in person at a meeting when the asylum officer explains the procedure, but it is also reinforced through official written communication, such as a letter or official document.

Applicants are informed about the personal interview by written notification from the asylum authority. Applicants are informed in advance of the date and place of the interview. This typically happens through official written communication (a letter or notification) that includes all relevant details. In some cases, they may receive a phone call or personal communication to reinforce the details, especially if any changes occur in the schedule.

The asylum authority provides a comprehensive briefing about the purpose and importance of the interview. Applicants are informed about the aim of the personal interview and what will happen during the interview, what kind of questions they may be asked, and how their answers will be used in determining their eligibility for protection. Furthermore, applicants are educated on their rights and obligations during the interview, including the right to interpretation services if needed, and the assurance of confidentiality during the interview process. This information is provided in both oral and written formats.

After the interview, applicants are informed about the next steps in the asylum procedure. They are told about the possibility to submit further evidence, should they have any additional documents or information to support their case. The asylum authority provides this information both orally and in writing, typically when the interview concludes.

Finally, when the decision on the asylum claim is made, applicants receive information on the next steps. The asylum authority informs applicants in person, providing both oral and written communication. If the decision is positive, the authority will outline the benefits and rights of being granted asylum. If the decision is negative, applicants are informed about the option to lodge an appeal and are given details on how to do so, including the possibility of legal assistance during the appeal process.

When the decision on an applicant’s asylum claim is communicated, beneficiaries of protection receive detailed information about their rights and obligations. This happens at the time of the decision notification, typically through a personal meeting with the asylum officer. The information shared includes benefits, assistance available to them, and the rights and responsibilities of refugees or beneficiaries of international protection under Hungarian law. This information is delivered both orally and in writing.

If the decision is positive, beneficiaries are informed of the benefits available, including social services, housing support and access to employment, healthcare and education. In addition to the oral communication during the notification, written material (e.g. leaflet) may be handed over to clarify their entitlements.

For a negative decision, applicants are also given detailed guidance. They are informed about their right to appeal and provided with a clear understanding of the appeal process, including the timeline for filing the appeal and the possibility of legal assistance. The format of this information is both oral and written.

Additionally, for those facing a rejection, the authorities inform them about the possibility of an assisted voluntary return and reintegration programmes. This information is especially crucial for those who may be facing a return to their country of origin. The asylum authority provides the details, explaining the process, the support available, and the steps they need to take to request assistance. This is communicated in person, both orally and through written materials, to ensure the applicant fully understands the options available.

The asylum authority is responsible for providing information on legal assistance and representation.

Applicants receive information on their right to consult a legal adviser or other counsellor at their own cost at all stages of the asylum procedure. This information is provided in the information leaflet when the application is lodged or as an annex to the decision to initiate ex officio proceedings.

Applicants are informed about their right to free legal assistance and representation in the appeal procedure when applicable, typically after a negative decision or during the appeal process. This information is also provided in the information leaflet that is supplied when the asylum application is lodged or as part of the decision to initiate ex officio proceedings.

Hungary currently does not implement resettlement and humanitarian admission programmes.

Beneficiaries of protection receive information on their rights and obligations when the decision to grant protection is communicated to them. This is done orally when the decision is communicated in person and a written copy of the decision is also provided. The information covers the benefits and assistance available to refugees and beneficiaries of international protection, including their rights and obligations, and the organisations providing assistance. The asylum authority provides this information. It is communicated both orally and in writing, through a leaflet or written decision.

Currently a state-organised integration programme is not available for refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary protection. However, beneficiaries of protection have access to the same rights as Hungarian citizens in terms of social integration, including healthcare, education and employment.

Complex integration programmes are implemented through social organisations, which run projects under AMIF or other sources. These programmes provide support for housing, livelihood, language training, school catch-up for children, community activities, psycho-social counselling and other aspects of integration.

Beneficiaries of protection receive information about their employment rights. Once recognised, they can work immediately without any permit and with the same rights as Hungarian citizens. The asylum authority informs them about these rights, and the information is provided orally and in writing through a leaflet.

Additionally, beneficiaries of protection receive information about their right to education. Children are entitled to receive education and training in public institutions starting from the date of submission of their application for recognition, similar to Hungarian citizens, and are subject to compulsory education. Information about education and vocational training, including reimbursement for education and training costs (up to the age of 21), is provided orally and in writing.

Beneficiaries of protection are informed about their entitlement to healthcare services, which are provided under the same conditions as for Hungarian citizens. Information on healthcare is provided orally and in writing by the asylum authority, ensuring that beneficiaries understand their healthcare rights and services available to them.

Beneficiaries of protection are automatically issued an identity document that entitles them to stay in Hungary. The asylum authority informs them about how to obtain this document and the conditions for staying in the country once their status is recognised. Information is provided both orally and in writing.

Applicants in reception facilities receive information about their rights, obligations and reception conditions when they are placed in the facility. This information is provided individually to each applicant upon admission. The National Directorate-General for Aliens’ Policing (OIF) provides this information in combination with social workers and staff at the reception facility.

The information covers:

• Agenda of the reception facility: Daily routine, rules and activities.
• Procedure for submitting applications and complaints.
• Accident prevention rules and fire safety regulations.
• Shopping arrangements and rules on smoking.
• Use of telephone and Internet.
• Contact details of the facility.
• Rights, including the use of their mother tongue, representation rights, access to language services, right of residence, access to healthcare, access to cultural and sporting facilities, exercise of religion and right to withdraw money.
• Obligations, including rules on appeals, segregation and prohibited items in the facility.
• Educational and leisure activities: Rights related to age-appropriate education and activities.

The National Directorate-General for Aliens’ Policing (NDGAP) is responsible for producing and developing the information material. The material is based on current legal provisions and updated as necessary, incorporating practical experience gained from the operation of reception centres. The information is provided both in writing (information leaflets) and orally (by social workers and reception facility staff). The written material is available in the applicant’s mother tongue or a language they understand. Applicants are provided with information on organisations that provide legal assistance and healthcare services, and their rights and obligations within the reception facility.

Applicants are also informed about access to healthcare services by social workers or medical staff in the reception facilities. The information is typically provided in both written format (as part of the admission package) and orally in the applicant’s preferred language.

Additionally, applicants are informed about their employment-related rights at the time they submit their asylum application. This information is provided by the asylum authority and includes written documentation detailing relevant legal provisions on employment. Social workers or the case officer may provide verbal clarification if the applicant has further questions.

Applicants are informed about accessing education when they submit their asylum application. The asylum authority provides this information, and social workers in the reception facilities assist with the enrolment process for children. Information is provided in both written format and verbally, depending on the needs of the applicants.

For more information: Services Provided to Asylum-Seekers

Third-country nationals in detention are informed about the reasons for their detention and the procedures for challenging the detention order in the detention order itself and orally. The asylum authority provides this information at the time of detention or when the detention decision is formally notified to the applicant. When applicants are placed in an asylum detention centre, they receive written information in their mother tongue or in a language they understand, outlining the conditions of admission, the benefits they are entitled to under the legislation and the obligations they must adhere to in relation to the reception conditions. Additionally, the written material describes the rules of the detention centre and its daily routine.

Information for applicants is provided by the case officer or, in the case of reception, by the social worker in the social services of the asylum detention centre.